There are many different weapons that militaries use across the world, but only a few cost billions of dollars. The most expensive weapons on the planet are all produced by the United States. The United States has the larges budget in the world to spend on the military and defense, allowing it to create some extremely costly weapons. When you think of a weapon, you have to extend your imagination beyond guns and bombs. For example while an attack helicopter is vehicle, it is also technically a weapon by definition. The is also a few factors that go into determining how much a weapon costs. The Pentagon orders weapons in large quantities. They then break down the cost into two factors: how much it costs to research and develop the weapon, and how much it costs to fulfill their order. The final number is typically in the billions, depending on the weapon. We are going to take a look at ten weapons whose total cost, is over $1 billion dollars. Remember that does not mean that one airplane, for example, costs a billion dollars, only that the total cost of the order was a billion dollars.
10. The P-8A Poseidon
Total Cost: $33 Billion
-R&D: $8.2 Billion
-Procurement Cost: $24.2 Billion
-Total Units: 122
-Price per Unit: $206.5 Million
The first weapon on our list is the P-8A Poseidon. Developed and produced by Boeing, the P-8A Poseidon’s main job is to patrol the oceans and take out submarines as it in an anti-submarine airplane. The aircraft is armed with AGM-84K missiles and MK54 torpedoes to take out submarines. Additionally the P-8A also serves to monitor movement of vehicles in the air and the sea.
9. The CVN-78 Class Aircraft Carrier
Total Cost: $34 Billion
-R&D: $4.6 Billion
-Procurement Cost: 29.3 Billion
-Total Units: 3
-Price per Unit: $9.78 Billion
The CVN-78 Class, simply referred to as “The Ford Class”, is a massive aircraft carrier that is used to launch aircraft all over the world and operate as a forward naval base. The ship can accommodate 75 aircraft and is about as long as three football fields. The U.S. government has ordered three of these vehicles, and it is one of the most expensive weapons ever made.
8. The MRAP
Total Cost: $41.6 Billion
-R&D: $7 Million
-Procurement Cost: $40.9 Billion
-Total Units: 26,552
-Price per Unit: $1.6 Million
The MRAP stands for “Mine Resistant Ambush Protected” vehicle and it is an armored personnel carrier. The vehicle was specifically created based off of the weapons used in Iraq and Afghanistan. Troops in those areas were met with the enemy using “Improvised Explosive Devices” and these vehicles are meant to withstand the explosions from bombs, hidden mines, and other attacks.
7. The Trident II Missile
Total Cost: $53.2 Billion
-R&D: $13.6 Billion
-Procurement Cost: $43.5 Billion
-Total Units: 459
-Price per Unit: $95.2 Million
The Trident II is a missile used by the United States Navy to deliver a thermonuclear warhead to a target. The missile is found in most U.S. submarines and is 44 feet long, and weighs around 80 tons. When launched, the missile can reach speeds around 13,000 mph and can hit targets up to 4,600 miles away.
6. The V-22 Osprey
Total Cost: $57.8 Billion
-R&D: $13.6 Billion
-Procurement Cost: $43.5 Billion
-Total Units: 459
-Price per Unit: $95.2 Million
Produced by Boeing, the V-22 Osprey is a tiltrotor aircraft that is used to carry troops or cargo. The vehicle can operate both as a helicopter or an airplane, making it perfect for situations where it needs to land or takeoff from a tight area. It has a range of 390 nautical miles and can reach speeds of 260mph.
5. The F/A-18E/F Super Hornets
Total Cost: $57.8 Billion
-R&D: $7.3 Billion
-Procurement Cost: $50.5 Billion
-Total Units: 556
-Price per Unit: $90.8 Million
Made by Boeing, the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is an updated version of the popular F/A-18 Hornet. These fighter jets are used for a variety of different purposes from engaging other aircraft to taking out ground targets. The jets can be outfitted with many different weapons, depending on what it is needed for.
4. The F-22 Raptor
Total Cost: $79.2 Billion
-R&D: $40.5 Billion
-Procurement Cost: $37.9 Billion
-Total Units: 188
-Price per Unit: $211.6 Million
The F-22 is the most expensive jet per unit, and the most technologically advanced jet in the world. This stealth fighter was developed by both Lockheed Martin and Boeing. The jet can engage units in the air and on the ground at the same time, and can achieve speeds of 1,839 mph. The D.o.D have ordered 188 of these fighter jets over the years.
3. The Virginia Class Submarine
Total Cost: $83.7 Billion
-R&D: $7.2 Billion
-Procurement Cost: $76.6 Billion
-Total Units: 30
-Price per Unit: $2.552 Billion
The Virginia Class Submarines are 377 feet long and weigh over 7,800 tons. Produced by General Dynamics, Electric Boat, and Newport News Shipbuilding, these nuclear submarines are arguably the most advanced in the world. The submarines have 38 different weapons on board, and can be used for many different missions. They also cost about $2.5 billion a piece.
2. The DDG 51 Destroyer
Total Cost: $101.8 Billion
-R&D: $5.1 Billion
-Procurement Cost: $96.6 Billion
-Total Units: 75
-Price per Unit: $1.29 Billion
The DDG 51 Destroyers are used by the Navy for many purposes, mainly engaging land and sea targets. They have been in service since 1991, and are the Navy’s main destroyers. They are over 500 feet long and are run by a crew of 350 men.
1. The F-35
Total Cost: $326.5 Billion
-R&D: $58.4 Billion
-Procurement Cost: $267.6 Billion
-Total Units: 2,457
-Price per Unit: $109.5 Million
The F-35 fighter jet is a multipurpose jet that is produced by Lockheed Martin. There are many different versions of this jet, all of which can do different things. For the most part these jets will engage in air-to-surface and air-to-air combat missions. The jets are also able to take off vertically and use stealth technology. The first round of these jets are just rolling out, and the D.o.D. has ordered nearly 2,500.
Photos by Scott Olson/Getty Images, Boeing, The Ford Class, Lockheed Martin, Military.com, NewWars.com, F35
